The Press: The Froth Estate

In his 35 years as the restlessly perfectionist editor of the New York
Times's fat, sober Sunday supplements, Lester Markel, 64, has always
put fact above fancy (and reaps his reward in juicy ads for bras,
girdles and lingerie). In the latest Bulletin of the American Society
of Newspaper Editors, Markel chides other editors for stressing
entertainment. "I have been impelled at times," says he, "to inquire
whether [we] should not properly be called The Froth Estate.' "